Howcast is a website that provides instructional short-form how-to video and text content that combines practical information with various filmmaking techniques such as humor, claymation and animation. The how-to content is created in-house, through its Emerging Filmmakers Program, media content partners and individual contributors .[2] Its Emerging Filmmakers Program allows emerging filmmakers to apply to make videos for Howcast.com and are compensated by receiving $50 a video and 50% of the advertising revenue generated from videos that generate over 40,000 views.[3] The site currently has over 100,000 videos in its library and works with partners like Playboy, JetBlue, Nestle and the US Department of State.[4] Content from Howcast.com spans 25 categories with a wide variety of topics, ranging from "How to Write a Resume" to "How to Survive a Bear Attack" to even virtually impossible situations like "How to Survive an Alien Abduction".[5]

Howcast.com was launched on February 6, 2008 by co-founders and former Google employees Jason Liebman, CEO, Daniel Blackman, COO and Sanjay Raman, VP of Product Development and Darlene Liebman, VP of Production, with offices in New York City and San Francisco.[6] Its investors include Tudor Investment Corporation.[7] The site was named one of the "50 Best Websites of 2008" by TIME Magazine[8] and a top undiscovered web site by PC Magazine.[9] In 2009, Howcast was nominated for two Webby Awards in the How-to and travel categories.[10] In 2010, Howcast was nominated as the Finalist in Top 100 Websites of 2010 by PC Mag[11] and became the Finalist in New York City Hot 125 nominated by Lead411.[12]

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Launched in February 2008, the Howcast Emerging Filmmakers Program (EFP) offers film students, recent grads, and up-and-coming filmmakers the chance to gain experience, exposure, and some extra income by creating short how-to videos distributed across online, mobile, and offline platforms. Provided with the guidance of Howcast producers, filmmakers are encouraged to flex their creative muscles while building their professional reels and launching their online careers. Filmmakers choose from ready-to-shoot scripts in numerous categories. Each script includes pre-recorded voiceovers, animated graphics, and music tracks so that filmmakers can focus on the creative aspects of shooting and editing their videos. Every accepted video earns a stipend of $50 and if a video is a success on Howcast.com, there are opportunities for revenue sharing.[13]

Since many filmmakers in the program are film students, the EFP has partnered with film and television programs at Boston University, Flashpoint Academy, and Charles Sturt University to expose students to Web-video production, increase student awareness of opportunities online, as well as provide real-world experience working for clients.[14] Expanding its reach beyond traditional educational borders, the EFP also launched a pilot program in the West Bank in partnership with the State Department to introduce young Palestinians to Web video.[15]

Howcast has developed free, native applications for the iPhone, iPad, and Android-powered phones to allow mobile searching and viewing of Howcast videos. The Howcast for iPhone application launched in November 2008 and received more than 500,000 downloads by May 2009.[16] Howcast for iPhone, was the first how-to video iPhone application created and was featured in the Apple iPhone commercial "Itchy."[17] In May 2009, CNET named the app one of "five free iPhone apps that can improve your life."[18] In July 2009, Times Online named the Howcast for iPhone app one of its ten best iPhone apps.[19] Howcast for Android launched in early November 2009 with a positive reception.[20]